Netanyahu speech at UN sparks walkout and genocide dispute in New York

Dozens of delegates walked out and booed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. The protest came as he used the speech to reject accusations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu said the allegation was "the biggest lie of the century" and told any remaining critics in the hall to leave.

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Netanyahu's remarks followed a speech by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who accused Israel of pursuing a "malicious colonial plan" aimed at driving Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. During his address, Netanyahu defended Israel's military actions and said the country had no choice but to win. He also said attacking Iran had been "one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make", linking the conflict to wider regional security concerns.

The Israeli leader also thanked US President Donald Trump, whom he described as Israel's "greatest partner". He said the two had worked together to launch the war against Iran "to save civilization". The comments underscored how the Gaza war and the wider regional conflict continue to shape diplomatic exchanges at the UN, where speeches have become a focal point for competing narratives over civilian harm, military necessity and international law.

The walkout reflects the depth of division among governments over Israel's conduct in Gaza and the language used to describe it. Genocide allegations have become one of the most contentious issues in the war, with supporters of Israel rejecting the charge and critics arguing that the scale of destruction and displacement demands international scrutiny. Netanyahu's forceful response shows that the dispute remains central not only to the conflict itself but also to Israel's standing in multilateral forums.

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The exchange also highlights the political significance of the UN General Assembly as a stage for direct confrontation between Israeli and Palestinian positions. Abbas's remarks and Netanyahu's rebuttal came in the same session, turning the gathering into a sharp diplomatic clash rather than a routine annual address. The presence of Trump in Netanyahu's comments also points to the continuing importance of US support in Israel's regional strategy and in its public messaging abroad.

What remains unclear is whether the speech will lead to any immediate diplomatic follow-up or change in positions among member states. The immediate facts are limited to the walkout, the booing and the competing claims made from the podium in New York. The broader dispute over Gaza, genocide allegations and the war with Iran is likely to continue to dominate international debate in the coming days.

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